Community responds to ADL security alert

With an eye to the recent bombings directed at Israeli diplomats in India, Georgia and Thailand, the Anti-Defamation League issued an advisory to Jewish institutions across the United States to heighten security and awareness. They noted that they are not aware of any current threats.

“We are aware of this report,” responded Richard Hagler, Executive Director of HALB, SKA, and DRS. “We have shared this with our security staff as well as the local authorities. We take the security of our students and faculty seriously and are always concerned about their safety.”

“Our security company has been in touch with us,” noted Esther Eisenman, Menahelet at Midreshet Shalhevet, “keeping us informed of the current situation and we remain vigilant regarding security in the building as always.”

“We spoke to students about it,” pointed out Rabbi Zev Friedman, Rosh Mesivta at Rambam. “An email went out to the parents. At Rambam, being concerned and proactive about security is always on our mind and is a priority.”

“We must all be vigilant and not regard this as a ‘far away’ threat,” continued Rabbi Friedman. “An attack on Jews anywhere should make us ‘wake up’ and realize that there are those who would wish to promote their anti-Israel/anti-Jewish (terrorist) agenda anywhere they think they will be able to succeed.”

The ADL recommended that all Jewish institutions review and practice security protocol, that everyone be aware of anything unusual or suspicious, enforce security in handling mail and packages, be sure intercoms, surveillance cameras and doors are in proper working order and stay in touch with local police.

Everyone should be aware of suspicious packages, someone filming or photographing, or sitting in a vehicle observing the building and be able to identify a suspicious person, describing gender, age, appearance, clothes, or a suspicious vehicle by make, color, license plate, and the date, time and location.

Packages and letters should be checked for powder, too much postage, if addressed to a title, in a stiff or large envelope, sloppy writing, and anything else out of the ordinary. If a delivery is deemed questionable the advisory warns: stop, don’t open, handle, shake, taste or smell the item, isolate the area and keep others away. Call 911 and wash hands with soap and water.

“The Nassau County Police Department have been recommending these steps as a regular course of business for the past dozen years,” said Deputy Inspector Kenneth Lack, commanding officer of the public information office. Detective Lieutenant Gary Shapiro, commanding officer of community affairs and bias crimes coordinator concurred with Lack in a conference call, and noted that although they are “not aware of any terror threats at this time it doesn’t mean that we are not being vigilant.”

“This dovetails with what we’ve been telling our citizens for years,” said Lack. “We act on each and every one of the tips from our citizens. Through our contacts in community affairs we get inquiries routinely but there have been no recent threats.” Lack stressed that they hold hundreds of meetings with the community and institutions throughout the year and hold a large Jewish security meeting at least once a year. “The department is vigilant,” stressed Lack. “We constantly have a heightened sense of awareness.”

“The public’s help is the single greatest crime fighting tool; when you see something say something.” Lack cited SPIN, the security/police information network where police and private citizens share information to aid Homeland Security. “The police are vigilant and use cutting edge technology to keep the community safe but we need the community’s help. There are over 100 synagogues in Nassau County. We have to work together and keep awareness up,” Lack added.

If you see something suspicious call crime stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS and for emergencies and immediate response call 911, pointed out Lack.

For more information on security go to ADL’s website: www.adl.org/security.